Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1887-02-04
MEMOIR OF JOHN SEUORD ELLIr.

j. s. Ellis was born May 81. 1880, in
Putnam county, State of New York. AT
his death he was aged Sc years and eight
months. When six years OLD he came
with his parents to Sylyania, Lucas coun
ty, Ohio, and when but boy on the farm
lie showed quite studious habits, attending
the academy at Sylvania and the High
School in Toledo during the winters, an d
besides working on the farm during sum-
mers he learned the coopers trade, which
calling he piled more or less during his
life, and when about 20 years old employed
his time during the winter months in
teaching school.
But in 1858, when % years old, he en-
tered the Ohio Wesleyan University at
Delaware. Owing TO the cholera in As he
left school, but returned and graduated
with honors in '5S. His classmates were ID :,
Edwards, editor of the Northeastern Chris.
tian Advocate, DIR. Waters, formerly our
presiding elder, DIR. Isaac Crook, of ST.
PauPs Church, Delaware, o., Prof. Patter-
son, of the Western Methodist Book Con-
cern, and number Of others.
After leaving College Bro Ellis became
Superintendent Of the following high
schools: Bowling Green, Bellevue, Paw
Paw (Mich) Perysburg-two years at
Bellevue and one at eacl, of the others
Whilst at Bowling Green he was married
to Miss Mary Rudulph, of Hiram, Ohio,
who assisted him as teacher in the differ
ent high schools, After living together
for FIVE years she died in Toledo, July,
1866, happy Christian death.
For ten years the deceased was en-
gagged in the lumber business at Roach
ton, after moving from Toledo. He also
conducted barrel and pail factory at
Sylvania at the same time. In this bus
mess he was quite successful.
Civil engineering was made a study
and in that capacity Bro. Ellis has
worked for the last ten years, as Super
intendent of Drainage and and Improve
ments for Wood county.
Feb. l3, 1s73 Bro. Ellis married Miss
Maggie NJ. Vass, resident of this town.
Since that time they have lived here and
have become well known in the church
and town. Mrs. Ellis who has so
patiently, diligently and affectionately
cared for the deceased in his illness,
deeply mourns her loss-grief sudden
yet not unexpected.
In spite of the varied experiences of
our Brother in so many avenues and
states in his more proper secular life, !
say what think, all who have known
him in the church will say that his rela-
ton to the Christian Church was first
in his thoughts and always indispensa-
BILE. He joined the church when very
young at Sylvania. On coming to this
region brought his letter.
His ideal of a christian was high. So
little confidence did he have in himself
that at times he would say like this-if
am good in any way cannot held it,
and sometimes. get praise for being
good whilst it is my nature.
A few days ago he told Mrs. Ellis and
myself not long before he died-of one
serious neglect in his his life, viz. when
young man 1 felt that God called me
to preach his gospel but neglected the
call and like Moses, said 81 am not
eloquent and yet l feel now that l
ought to have done 80 nevertheless. He
believed God had forgiven him for his
serious neglect but was always sorry
because of it and perhaps my inability
to lay hold upon and experience the
deep things OF God, has been somdwhat
due to this. His manner of death was
indicative of his christian demeanor--
restless and yet cheerful, oppressed
and yet MOI cast down. When death
came over him he expressed desire to
go to sleep. Not murmur passed his
lips during his long sickness-yet his
whole experience has heen one of rest
resting on the promises.
GEO. B. WILTsIE.